Magnetic tape having plural spaced-apart servo areas interleaved with data track areas

Abstract: A magnetic tape (21) has three evenly spaced-apart longitudinally-extending servo track areas (40-42). Four equal-sized longitudinally-extending data track areas (45-48) are disposed between said servo track areas (40-42) and between longitudinal edges of the tape (21) and one of said data track areas (45-48). All servo track areas (40-42) are simultaneously sensed for producing one head positioning signal (100). Data tracks are arranged into four groups of tracks (45-48), one-half of the data tracks in each group are concurrently accessed. The data tracks on the tape are arranged in clusters. Each cluster has one track from each of the groups of tracks. Two laterally-adjacent track clusters constitute four data track wraps for serpentine scanning of data tracks. The concurrent track accessing respectively occurs in first and second halves of a data track wrap. Each servo area indicates two lateral positions of the tape to the head (27). The lateral spacing between the lateral positions is equal to about a data track width. This arrangement makes the servo areas field writable.

Description: The present invention relates to magnetic tape data storage particularly magnetic tape having a plurality of spaced apart servo track areas and capable of having a diverse number of concurrently accessed data tracks. Recording data or other information-bearing signals on magnetic tape has been practiced for many years. Some of the track formats on magnetic tape facilitate a so-called serpentine scanning of the tape such that the logical beginning and end of the magnetic tape are at the same physical end of the tape. In a preferred form of the invention, it is desired to employ serpentine scanning of data tracks while providing a close control of head-to-tape lateral positioning. Such control of head-to-tape lateral positioning is best achieved by servoing the head position laterally to the tape. It is also desired, particularly in view of possible high error rates in magnetic tape, to provide a reliable set of servo tracks on a magnetic tape. In combination with the last-mentioned desire, it is also desired to control costs by making the head as low cost as possible. Such desire can be achieved using the present invention by placement arid selection of servo track areas on the tape. Most magnetic tape systems employ heads that are capable of scanning a fixed number of data tracks on a tape. Using the number of gaps in the head and the number of tracks on the tape are fixed with respect to each other. It is desired to provide a tape format and head construction that enables varying the number of active gaps in a head while using the same format on the tape. It is also desired to have servo track areas that are amenable to such variation in the number of tracks to be concurrently accessed. An important aspect of magnetic tape recording is the ever increasing areal data storage density. It is desired to provide servo track areas that tend to minimize reduction of the data storage capacity of a magnetic tape through the introduction of servo position signals into the tape. It is also desired to provide servo tracks that can be recorded by a tape device in the field, i.e. in situ. Most prior art magnetic tapes having longitudinally extending tracks do not employ servo tracks on the tape. While the so-called slant track tapes, video for example, employ servo tracks, such servo tracks are for synchronizing a rotating head to the tape motion and slant track position. As seen in US patent 4,224,643 by Nakano et al and in US patent 4,760,475 by Wong et al, the servo tracks are at the longitudinal edges of the video tape for synchronizing a rotary head assembly while scanning so-called slant tracks. In contrast to video recording, most data storing tapes have longitudinally scanned tracks. US patent 4,639,796 by Solhjell shows positioning a head assembly laterally of the tape for longitudinally scanning different data tracks by optically sensing the longitudinal edges of the tapes. Such tape-edge sensing does not provide the desired accuracy needed for the now higher track densities. Serpentine scanned longitudinal data tracks are shown in US patent 5,196,969 by Iwamatsu et al. Such serpentine scanning is achieved by alternating write and read gap arrangements as also shown in US patent 5,161,299 by Dennison et al. Tape drives have also used so-called sector servoing, i.e. position indicating signals are longitudinally interspersed with data signals. US patent 4,472,750 by Klumpp et al shows such an arrangement. Longitudinally continuous position indicating signals are desired for accuracy and redundancy of the position indicating signals is desired for reliability. A single servo track control for magnetic tapes is disclosed by Youngquist in US patent 5,008,765. A specially constructed magnetic head with an asymmetrical gap arrangement enables using data gaps for sensing the single servo track to achieve different lateral positions on the tape. Such a single longitudinally-extending servo track, even though placed at the lateral midpoint of a tape, does not provide a desired degree of reliability for high track densities. A QUARTER-INCH TAPE CARTRIDGE {QIC} proposed DEVELOPMENT STANDARD (June 4, 1992), distributed by 3M Company, 311 E Carrillo ST, Santa Barbara CA 93101, shows a tape format having longitudinally scanned tracks with two laterally spaced-apart servo areas. Appendix A of this document has Figure A.1 showing the format. The format includes two independent servo track areas at respective quarter points laterally of the tape. Each servo track area has twelve servo tracks shown in Fig. A.2. Each servo track area is used independently for servoing a head (not shown in the standard) for accessing data tracks disposed laterally close thereto. Appendix A shows four sets of data tracks. Two sets of the data tracks are disposed laterally adjacent respective ones of the servo track areas. A substantial guard area extends longitudinally along the lateral midpoint of the tape. Therefore, it is clear that the first and second servo track areas are used independently to servo position a head (not shown in the document) for the respective sets of tracks. A multi-gap head useful for serpentine scanning of data tracks is shown in US Patent 5,161,299 by Dennison et al. This patent shows interleaved sets of read and write gaps for scanning the tape in opposite directions of tape movement, i.e. a two-direction scanning head. The patent shows a head construction useful for one-half inch wide magnetic tape that is guided past all of the head gaps. IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 20, no. 7, December 1977, New York, US, page 2820 discloses a magnetic tape having interleaved data and servo tracks. There is only one data track between two servo tracks. Thus, a lot of tape space is used by the servo tracks. EP-A-0 517 531 discloses in Fig. 8 a magnetic tape according to the preamble of claim 1. However, because of the type of head used for reading/recording from/on the tape, the data track areas near the edges of the tape only have half the width of the other data track areas. An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic tape having an optimal and reliable servo positioning format for a magnetic tape that enables a tape device to concurrently access a selected number of data tracks and to provide a method of controlling a lateral position of a multi-gap multi-track head with respect to such a magnetic tape. A magnetic tape and a method according to the invention are defined in claims 1 and 6. Preferably, each of the servo track areas has two servo positioning characteristics that are writable either in a factory by a servo writer or by a magnetic tape device used to record signals on the tape. Such a pattern enables users to degauss the tape for erasing that also erases the servo tracks. Then the tape devices can be used to rewrite the servo tracks. It is preferred that the given plurality of servo track areas be three with four data track areas. The data tracks are arranged in clusters and groups. Each group of tracks contain so-called concurrently accessible tracks, i.e. store signals of one file, block, picture and the like. Each such group has tracks that are spaced apart laterally a number of tracks equal to the number of groups. Each cluster of tracks contain a number of tracks equal to the number of groups. All tracks in a cluster are recorded in the same direction and each track in the cluster is from a different one of the groups of tracks. Laterally adjacent track clusters are recorded in opposite directions of relative movement of the head and magnetic tape. The format enables using magnetic recording/reading heads having diverse multi-track gap arrangements. The number of data gaps in the diverse heads vary by 2 N where N is a positive integer. The number of servo gaps for reading respective servo track areas vary inversely by 2 N to the number of tracks each of the magnetic heads used for recording and reading signals to and from the magnetic tape. The magnetic head having a maximum number of data gaps simultaneously or concurrently records and reads all of the tracks in the respective track groups. The magnetic heads having fewer data gaps require a plurality of tape passes to read all of the tracks in each track group. The plurality of tape passes increases by 2 N as the number of data gaps decrease by such number. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed independent claims 4 and 5. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the invention as claimed and will be best understood by reference to the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 illustrates, in a simplified block diagram, a tape device employing the present invention. Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a magnetic tape usable in the Fig. 1 illustrated device and that incorporates a preferred form of the present invention. Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a serpentine track arrangement for the Fig. 2 illustrated tape. Fig. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a transducer employing the present invention that is indexed and servo-positioned with respect to a plurality of servo areas on a magnetic tape. Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged showing of one servo track area with servo gap positioning for effecting the head indexing shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic showing of a preferred head gap pattern for practicing the present invention. Fig. 7 is a simplified block diagram showing of selecting head servo gaps for selecting position error signals (PES) for practicing the present invention. Fig. 8 is a simplified block diagram showing error detection and PES blocking based on PES excessive-error detection. Fig. 9 diagrammatically shows a plurality of magnetic heads having diverse data and servo gap arrangements that can record and read a magnetic tape such as shown in Fig. 2. Referring now more particularly to the appended drawing, like numerals indicate like parts and structural features in the various figures. Referring first to Fig. 1, a tape drive 10 is connected (attached) to other units 12. Other units 12 represent peripheral controllers, computers of all types, communication systems, local networks and the like. In a constructed embodiment, a tape cartridge 17 containing a single spool 20 of magnetic tape 21 is removably inserted into tape drive 10. Tape cartridge 17 shown in a play position operatively connects a spool motor and tachometer 22 to tape spool 20 for unreeling and reeling tape 21. Tape 21 is automatically threaded (in a known manner) past laterally- positionable multi-track multi-gap head 27 to machine reel 25. Data are transferred between tape 21 and other units 12 via data flow 28. Data flow 28 performs the usual formatting, error detecting and correcting, and other processing of information-bearing signals (data) found in magnetic tape recording apparatus. Motor and tachometer 26 rotate spool 25 in synchronism with spool 20, as is known. Lines 23 denote control and sensing signal transfer between motors 22 and 26 with tape device control 30. Control 30 includes the usual programmed control for controlling data flow 28 and communicating with other units 12. Cartridge present sensor 31 senses the cartridge 17 for informing control 30 that cartridge 17 has been loaded into tape drive 10. Referring next to Fig's 2 through 6, the tape format, one head gap arrangement and servo control are described. Tape 21 includes triple longitudinally-extending laterally-spaced-apart redundant servo areas 40-42, which divide the magnetic tape 21 into a group of data track areas 45-48. At a free end of tape 21 (to the left in Fig. 2), a device to tape calibration area is disposed between dashed lines 50 and 52. This area contains signals (not described) that enable tape drive 10 to calibrate its operation to the particular characteristics of the loaded tape 21. The tape area between dashed line 52 and a hub end of tape 21 is available for recording as will become apparent. Numeral 58 denotes the four track groups 0-3 used in the constructed embodiment. Serial recording proceeds from track group 0 through track group 3, no limitation thereto intended. The first track group 0 is laterally displaced from longitudinal edges 56 and 57 respectively by tracks in track groups 2 and 1,3. Since track group 0 is a logical beginning of data recording, control information useful to either other units 12 or tape drive 10 may be first recorded in track group 0. Tape drive 10 has the usual load point controls for positioning magnetic tape and magnetic head 27 to first read the tracks in track group 0. Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates obtaining a maximal spacing between adjacent tracks in each track group 0-3. Numerals 81-90 respectively indicate track clusters 1 - 10, each track cluster having one track from each track group. Laterally adjacent track clusters have tracks scanned in opposite scanning directions 79 and 80. Magnetic tape moves in a direction opposite to the track scanning direction by magnetic head 27. The "to hub" scanning direction is caused by magnetic tape 21 being reeled from cartridge spool 20 while the "from hub" scanning direction is caused by magnetic tape being reeled onto cartridge spool 20. Magnetic tape is scanned in a serpentine sequence. While magnetic head 27 is at one lateral (index) position, one serpentine scan (also termed a track wrap) occurs. In scan direction 79 one track in each of the odd numbered clusters are scanned while in scan direction 80 one track in each of the even numbered track clusters are scanned. The arrows in the respective track clusters 81-90 (numbered as clusters 1 - 10) indicate the tracks. Each vertical number sequence "2 0 1 3" in each of the track clusters respectively indicate the track group to which the respective track belongs. The track number of the arrow indicated tracks in each of the clusters is determined by the following equations wherein K is the cluster number from 1-32: Track number of track group 2 track = (K * 4) - 3 Track number of track group 0 track = (K * 4) - 2 Track number of track group 1 track = (K * 4) - 1 Track number of track group 3 track = (K * 4) All of the tracks are evenly spaced apart laterally. The concurrently access tracks of each track group are spaced apart by seven intervening tracks. For example, tracks 1 and 9, as determined by the equations above, are laterally separated by tracks 2 through 8. For having four groups of tracks, such lateral spacing is maximum for all tracks and is the same for all successively numbered tracks in each track group. Note that the tracks of track group 2 in the even numbered track clusters are not accessed concurrently to the track group 2 tracks in odd numbered clusters. Also, the four data track areas 45-48 (Fig's 2 and 4) have a like number of tracks (each data track area having eight track clusters) such that the servo track areas 40-42 have a maximum lateral spacing. Such maximum lateral spacing is an optimum spacing for enhancing correction of errors caused by magnetic tape defects. A pair of unrecorded longitudinally-extending guard bands 91 separate the data track areas from each of the servo track areas 40-42. Fig. 4 shows indexing head 27 (head is detailed in Fig. 6) laterally of magnetic tape 21. Magnetic head 27 has three sets of servo gaps A, B and C that concurrently sense the respective servo track areas 40-42, respectively. The sensed servo signals are processed as later described with respect to Fig's 7 and 8 to generate a servo drive signal on line 100 for actuating servo 97 to move head 27 to follow the servo tracks. Numeral 98 indicates the physical connection of servo 97 to head 27. Also included in servo 97 is an electronic circuit (not shown) that initially indexes head 27 to position the servo gaps over the respective servo track areas as best seen in Fig. 5. Each servo track area 40-42 are identical. Servo track area 42 between data track areas 45 and 46 is detailed (Fig. 5). Between guard bands 91 two longitudinally-extending frequency-F2 base-band tone areas 105 and 106 extend substantially the length of tape 21. A longitudinally-extending modulated servo area 107 is interleaved between tone areas 105 and 106. Area 107 has alternating sections 108 of frequency-F1 tone with sections 109 of null (all 0's signal in a data format, such as in a 1,7 d,k code) signal. F1 and F2 have a predetermined different frequency for effecting lateral position indication at the boundaries (servo tracks) 115U and 115L between the F1 and F2 frequency. The null sections 109 enable checking centering of an active servo gap scanning the respective servo tracks 115U and 115L. The servo positioning action will be described after the Fig. 6 head gap arrangement is described. Magnetic head 27 has two portions F and H, each portion having interleaved write and read gaps. US patent 5,161,299 (patent '299) shows an multi-gap multi-track head that does not have servo gaps. The head used in this invention is an improvement over the magnetic head shown in said patent 299. All of the odd numbered write gaps W in section H write data in scanning direction 79 while the even-numbered write gaps W in section F write data in scanning direction 80. The read after write verification is respectively effected by the odd-numbered and even-numbered read gaps R in the scanning directions 79 and 80. During read operations, read gaps R also read data from magnetic tape 21. Magnetic head 27 has 32 write gaps (16 if, each head section) and 32 read gaps (16 in each head section). Therefore, magnetic head 27 concurrently reads or writes in 16 different tracks in one of the track groups 0-3. The magnetic head 27 servo gaps are arranged into three sets, A, B and C respectively for scanning servo track areas 42-40. Each head section F and H has two servo gaps in each of the sets A-C. The servo gaps are respectively identified by a three digit code, a first digit (F or H) indicates the head section, a second digit (A-C) indicates which of the three sets has the identified servo gap and a third digit (1 or 2) indicates which of the two servo gaps in the respective head section is identified. The data gaps (W and R) are arranged in four head lateral areas corresponding to the data track areas 45-48 as best seen in Fig. 9. The odd numbered write gaps respectively concurrently record in one track of the odd numbered track clusters. That is, gap W1 records data in track cluster 1 (one of the tracks 1-4). gap W3 records in track cluster 3 (one of the tracks 9-13), etc. Similarly, even numbered write gaps record in even numbered track clusters. Head 27 is indexed to one of four positions for writing or reading from the tracks (respectively in track groups 0-3) as described above and as will become apparent from a later description of Fig. 5. Numeral 130 denotes the symmetrical lateral center of head 27 gap arrangement. Numeral 135 collectively indicates gap spacing for generating guard bands 91. Numeral 136 indicates gaps numbered 25-32 but not shown in Fig. 6. Returning now to Fig. 5, the four head 27 index positions are described, one indexed head position for each of the four track groups 0-3. Servo gaps in gap set A illustrate the four-index positioning. Since servo gaps FA1 and FA2 are used to position in scanning direction 79 and servo gaps HA1 and HA2 are identically used in scanning direction 80, the gaps are generically identified as A1 and A2. For accessing tracks in track group 2 a maximal closeness to longitudinal edge 56 is desired. Therefore, right-most gap A2 (Fig. 6) is the active gap scanning the left-most (Fig. 4 upper) servo track 115. Tracks in track group 0 are next adjacent to the track group 2 such that servo gap A1 is centered on servo track 115U. Similarly, tracks in track group 1 are accessed by centering active servo gap A2 on servo track 115L. Track in track group 3 are accessed by centering gap A1 as an active gap on servo track 115L. Head indexing (not described in detail) uses electronic circuits of known design to initially position head 27 in one of the four servo positions. The centered servo gap senses the servo pattern to enable automatically switching from the open loop indexing to servo track following, all as known. Servo gap selection and servoed track following is illustrated in abbreviated form in Fig's 7 and 8. Fig's 7 and 8 are a combination of electronic circuits and program implemented operations. That is, filters 165-167 can be conventional electronic filters that supply analog signals over lines 175 and 176 to amplitude comparators 170-172, respectively. In one embodiment, the output signals of filters 165-167 were digitized to digitally represent read back signal amplitudes. In this one embodiment averaging circuit 191, gates 180-182 etc are program implemented. It is well within one of ordinary skill in this art to make such design choices for implementing the present invention. First described in Fig. 7 is servo gap selection for effecting track following. Each servo gap set A, B and C has four servo gaps as described with respect to Fig's 5 and 6. Fig. 5 illustrates which of the servo gaps in each set are selected for the respective concurrent track groups as indicated by control 30 over line 151 to select servo gap circuit 150. While the tracks in any of the concurrent track groups are being scanned while tape is being reeled from cartridge spool 20 to machine spool 15 then the servo gaps are always in head section F. While scanning tape in an opposite direction while tape is being reeled from machine reel 25 to cartridge reel 20, the servo gaps in head section H are used. Accordingly, select servo gaps circuit (can be partially program implemented) 150 responds to the group select signal on line 151 and the tape direction signal on line 152 to select one servo gap from each servo gap set A, B and C for supplying three independently read servo signals respectively over lines 160-162 to filter circuits 165-167. Filter circuits 165-167 each separately filter the F1 and F2 signals read from the respective servo track areas 42-40. Lines 175 respectively carry the F1 filtered signals while lines 176 respectively carry the F2 filtered signals. Amplitude comparators 170-172 respectively amplitude compare (such as by either analog or digital subtraction of one of the signal amplitudes from another signal amplitude) to supply respective differential servo position error indicating signals over the respective lines 173 to gates 180-182. Gates 180-182 respond to position error detection circuit 184 to pass the respective position error signals while circuit 184 indicates respectively over lines 187-185 satisfactory signal quality has occurred while reading the servo signals from tape 21 respective servo track areas. The gates 180-182 passed servo position error signals all proceed over respective lines 190 to averaging circuit 191. For writing data onto tape 21 two of the three position error signals must be valid. If only one such signal is valid during writing, then position error detection circuit 184 supplies a servo in error signal over line 193 that effects aborting writing data. For reading data, one of the servo position error signals may be used for a successful read. Other read controls may be implemented as well but are not described herein. Acquisition of track following for any of the four concurrent track groups includes open-loop indexing or stepping magnetic head 27 under control of index control 145. Control 30 supplies lateral position information over cable (can be a program path) 144 to control 145. Control 145 supplies an appropriate control signal over line 100 to actuate the Fig. 4 illustrated head 27 positioning servo/indexer 97. As the active servo gaps begin scanning the respective servo track areas 40-42 position error signals are being generated. Index control 145 responds to position error detection circuit 184 supplying an indication over line 146 that servo position error signals are being generated and to a control 145 internal indication (not shown) that the indexing operation has caused the active servo gap to reach the desired servo track 115U or 115L to supply a gate enabling signal (can be a program signal) over line 147 to actuate gates 180-182 to pass the respective lines 173 signals conditioned on the value of the respective signals on lines 187-185. Fig. 8 illustrates in simplified form the operation of circuit 184. Numerals 201 and 200 represent reading the servo track area 42 (via an active gap of the A servo gap set) and amplification of the sensed servo signal. Filters 165 includes an F1 signal passing filter 205 to supply F1 over line 175 while F2 signal passing filter 206 to supply F2 over line 176. The amplitudes of the F1 and F2 signals on lines 175 and 176 indicate servo position error. Amplitude comparator 170 generates the position error signal "F1-F2" traveling over line 173 to AND circuit or gate 180. The line 187 control signal opens gate 180 when no error conditions in the A circuit portion of circuit 184 indicate poor sensed signal quality or an unintended off-track condition. Three such errors are described. Error 1 occurs if the F1-F2 signal has too high an amplitude for indicating that the servo gap is favoring sensing the F1 portion 105 or 106 (Fig. 5). Amplitude comparator 217 compares F1-F2 with amplitude threshold T1. Error 1 is indicated if F1 > F2 more than T1. F1 can also be compared to a threshold amplitude during the null periods when the servo gap is scanning an F1 area arid a null area 109. Comparator 217 is activated by detector 211 responding to the transition from an F2 area 108 to a null area 109 to supply a timing signal over line 218 for actuating comparator 217 to output a new value and hold it until the next F1 to null transition. Error 2 indicates that F1 amplitude value changes beyond a predetermined maximum value during the periods that an area F2 is being scanned as indicated by threshold signal T2. The F1 signal amplitude value is captured arid held in hold circuit 220 (determination of error 2 is program implemented in one embodiment). Line 175 connects to one input of hold circuit 220. Hold circuit 220 is enabled to receive and store the F1 signal while an F2 area 108 is being scanned. Detector 211 detects and indicates an F2 signal and supplies an actuating signal over line 212 to hold circuit to receive F1 signal. Detector 211 detects and indicates on line 218 each transition from an F2 area 108 to a null area 109 for actuating hold circuit 220 to supply the captured F1 signal over line 221 to error 2 detecting amplitude comparator 225. At this time the line 212 F2 scan indicating signal is removed for disabling circuit 220 from receiving the F2 signal. Comparator 225 compares the line 221 captured F1 signal with threshold T2. When the captured F1 signal has a greater amplitude than T2, an unintended servo offset is indicated. Therefore, comparator 225 then emits an error 2 signal over line 226. Error 3 signal indicates excessive noise is being sensed from the servo track area being scanned. The line 160 signal enters blocking or comb filter 230 for blocking the F1, F2 and any null signal (such as all 0's indicated d,k coded signal) for passing noise signals to amplitude detector 231. Detector 231 supplies a noise amplitude indicating signal to error 3 amplitude comparator 233. Comparator 233 compares the detector 231 supplied signal with a third amplitude threshold T3. If the noise indicating signal exceeds T3, then comparator 233 supplies an error 3 indicating signal over line 234. Other types of errors can be detected, such as limiting a change in F1-F2 successive signals, amplitude of F2, etc. The line 187 AND gate conditioning signal is generated by OR circuit 215 supplying an actuating signal to invertor 216. When all of the input signals to OR circuit are inactive, then invertor 216 actuates AND gate 180 to pass the line 173 F1-F2 servo position error signal. When none of the error comparators 217, 225 and 233 are not detecting an error condition and the F2 scan signal on line 212 is active, then there is an inactive output signal from OR circuit 215 for actuating AND gate 180. Any one of the error comparators 217, 225 or 233 supplying an error signal or the F2 scan signal on line 212 is inactive, then AND gate 180 closes to block the line 173 signal from passing to averaging circuit 191. The above description is for an so-called "A circuit" in circuit 184 that processes sensed servo signals from the A set of servo gaps. Similarly, B circuit 240 and C circuit 241 respectively operate as described for the A circuit. AND gates 181 and 182 are controlled by B and C circuits. respectively, as described for the A circuit. The sensed servo signal inputs to the B and C circuits are respectively carried over lines 161 and 162 through circuits 166 and 167 (filters) to lines collectively indicated by numerals 175, 176 in Fig. 8. The line 193 servo turn off signal is generated by two of three circuit 238 responding to two of the three circuits A, B and C indicating one of three errors 1, or 3. In A circuit, OR gate 237 receives the output signals from error comparators 217, 225 and 233. Any one of the lines 219, 226 or 234 carrying an error indicating signal passes through OR gate 237 to supply an A circuit error indicating signal 242 to circuit 238. Similarly, B and C circuits respectively supply B and C circuit error indicating signals over lines 243 and 244 to two-of-three circuit 238. Circuit 238 consists of logic elements using known designs to indicate on line 193 that two of the three servo signals are in an error condition. Remember, that two such error conditions cause any data writing to be aborted. Line 146 carries a signal that is the inverse of the line 193 signal for indicating that at least two of the three sensed servo signals are valid. Fig. 9 diagrammatically illustrates using any one of diverse heads for accessing the data tracks of magnetic tape 21 using the illustrated servo track areas. Magnetic head 27 concurrently accesses 16 tracks. In Fig. 9, numeral 250 collectively denominates data gap sets, each set having four data gaps, two write gaps and two read gaps. Referring to Fig. 6, numeral 249 denotes a dashed line box enclosed data gap set 260. Set 260 consists of write gaps W1 and W2 plus read gaps R1 and R2. That is each data gap set has an odd numbered write gap and an even numbered write gap for writing data in reverse directions. Other data gap sets are identified in Fig. 6 by a set of odd and even numbered read and write gaps. Eight concurrent track accessing head 255 has eight data track sets, each data track set having a lateral alignment of one of the data track sets of head 27. Similarly, four concurrent track-accessing head 256 has four data track sets respectively aligned with respective data track sets of head 27. The table below indicates the data track set alignment indicated in Fig. 9. HEAD 27 DATA TRACK SET HEAD 255 DATA TRACK SET HEAD 256 DATA TRACK SET 260 261 263 265 266 NONE 270 271 273 275 276 NONE 280 281 283 285 286 NONE 300 301 302 305 306 NONE Table I rows indicate aligned data track gap sets. For reading or writing a same block of data to or from magnetic tape 21, head 27 writes and reads the block in one pass, magnetic head 255 requires two passes and head 256 requires four passes. Each magnetic head has a different number of the servo gap sets. The servo gap sets are best seen for magnetic head 27 in Fig. 6 as sets A. B and C. Magnetic head 255 has four servo gap sets. For sensing the servo tracks in servo track area 42, servo gap sets A and D are used to obtain eight index positions of head 255, i.e. twice the number of head 27 index position. Similarly servo gap sets C and E sense servo track area 40 for obtain the same eight index positions of head 255. Numeral 310 identifies dashed line illustrated servo gap positions of head 255 for indicating that the servo track area 41 is not used. This election is to reduce the cost of manufacture of head 255. Since magnetic head 255 has only eight sets of data gaps, the cost of having triple servo redundancy is dispensed with, no limitation thereto is intended. Four track set head 256 has only four servo gap sets A, G J and L all for sensing servo track area 41. Dashed line servo gap positions 315 and 316 are dispensed with for cost reasons, no limitation thereto is intended.

Claims: An elongated flexible magnetic tape (21) having a magnetic coating for receiving and storing signals, a pair of longitudinal edges (56, 57), a lateral direction of said magnetic tape being transverse to said longitudinal edges, said tape comprising a predetermined plurality of N laterally spaced-apart longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) that extend substantially a length of said magnetic tape, N is a positive integer greater than unity, said tape having N + 1 longitudinally extending data track areas (45-48) being laterally interleaved with said N longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42); each of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) having signals indicating a respective predetermined plurality of lateral positions; and said tape being characterised by said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) respectively being laterally spaced between laterally-adjacent ones of said data track areas (45-48), said data track areas (45-48) having a like lateral extent (58) and having a same number greater than unity of data tracks in each of said data track areas (45-48). The magnetic tape (21) set forth in claim 1, including: a first one of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (41) extending longitudinally along a predetermined lateral midpoint between said longitudinal edges (56, 57); second ones of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40, 42) other than said first one longitudinally-extending servo area being disposed at predetermined lateral positions between said first one longitudinally-extending servo area (41) and said longitudinal edges (56, 57), an equal number of said second ones of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40, 42) being disposed between each of said longitudinal edges (56, 57) and said first one longitudinally-extending servo area(41). The magnetic tape (21) set forth in claim 2 wherein N is equal to three; and said second longitudinally-extending servo areas (40, 42) consisting of two of said second longitudinally-extending servo areas spaced between said first one longitudinally-extending servo area (41) and a respective one of said longitudinal edges (56, 57) so that there are four of said data track areas (45-48) having equal lateral dimensions. The magnetic tape (21) set forth in claim 1 or 2 or 3 wherein each of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) has two longitudinally-extending lateral servo position indications (105, 106) being laterally separated by a distance substantially equal to a lateral extent of each of said data tracks. The magnetic tape (21) set forth in claim 1 wherein a number of said data tracks (81-88) in each of said data track areas (45-48) is equal to an integral multiple of N + 1. A method of controlling a lateral position of a multi-gap multi-track head (27) with respect to a magnetic tape (21), said magnetic tape being flexible with a magnetic coating and having first (56) and second (57) longitudinally extending edges, including the steps: providing on said magnetic tape (21) N laterally spaced-apart longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) that extend substantially a length of said magnetic tape; wherein N is a positive integer greater than unity ; providing N + 1 longitudinally extending data track areas (45 - 48) laterally interleaved with said N longitudinally-extending servo areas on said magnetic tape (21); in each of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) providing recorded servo machine-sensible indicia for indicating a respective predetermined plurality of lateral positions on said magnetic tape (21); said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) respectively being laterally spaced between laterally-adjacent ones of said data track areas (45-48), said data track areas (45-48) having a like lateral extent (58) and having a same number greater than unity of data tracks (81-88) in each of said data track areas (45-48); loading said magnetic tape (21) into a tape drive (10) for recording and reading signals; providing a laterally-movable multi-gap multi-track head (27); in the head (27) providing a plurality of sets of servo gaps in a lateral spaced-apart relationship so that the lateral distance between the sets is equal to said spaces between said servo track areas (45-48) on said magnetic tape (21), said lateral spaced-apart relationship being identical in each of said sets; selecting a respective one of said servo gaps in each of said sets having a same relative lateral position in each of said sets; and sensing said servo track areas (45-48) via said selected respective servo gaps for laterally position controlling said head (27) relative to said magnetic tape (21). The method set forth in claim 6, comprising the steps; laterally positioning a first one of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) extending longitudinally along a predetermined lateral midpoint between said longitudinal edges (56, 57); laterally positioning second ones (40, 42) of said longitudinally-extending servo areas other than said first one longitudinally-extending servo area at predetermined lateral positions between said first one longitudinally-extending servo area (41) and said longitudinal edges (56, 57). an equal number of said second ones of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) being disposed between each of said longitudinal edges (56. 57) and said first one longitudinally-extending servo area(41). The method set forth in claim 7, comprising the steps: selecting said N to be three; and creating and equally laterally spacing apart said second longitudinally-extending servo areas (40, 42) to consist of two of said second longitudinally-extending servo areas spaced between said first one longitudinally-extending servo area (41) and a respective one of said longitudinal edges (56, 57) to create four data track areas (45-48) having equal lateral dimensions. The method set forth in claim 6 or 7 or 8, comprising the steps: in each of said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) creating two longitudinally-extending lateral servo position indications to be laterally separated by a distance substantially equal to a lateral extent of each of said data tracks such that said longitudinally-extending servo areas (40-42) are field writable. The method set forth in any claim from 6 to 9, comprising the steps of: arranging each said data track area to have an integral multiple of N + 1 data tracks; and arranging a longitudinal-extending non-recorded guard band (91) between each of said data track areas (45-48) and a laterally adjacent one of said servo track areas (40-42).

Inventors: COMEAUX WAYNE THOMAS, GRAVES DAVID CONRAD, JOHNSON DOUGLAS WAYNE, COMEAUX, WAYNE THOMAS, GRAVES, DAVID CONRAD, JOHNSON, DOUGLAS WAYNE
Applicants: IBM, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G11B5
IPC codes: G11B20, G11B5